George Bowering

In this collection of incisive, cogent essays, two-time Governor General's Award winner George Bowering explores the varied and often misunderstood landscape of Canadian literature and culture. Offering close readings of the works of a wide array of writers-Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Atwood, Sheila Watson, Al Purdy, Ethel Wilson and many more-Bowering considers what it means to be a Canadian writer, and a Canadian reader.

Bowering challenges assumptions about our literary national identity, upending some of the sacred cows of Canadian literature while passionately presenting cases for the revival of a few favourite authors he feels are unjustly overlooked. Along the way he makes delightful digressions about his personal experiences-including growing up in small-town B.C. and developing his poetic voice as a student. Above all, he tells us-with infectious enthusiasm-about the writers he admires and the books he loves. Always engaging, Bowering is the ultimate conversationalist-informed and intimate, intelligent and irreverent.